Dave Romney Bio
David James Romney (born June 12, 1993) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes. Standing 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) tall, Romney wears the number 4 jersey and is recognized for his durability and consistency along the back line. A central defender by trade, he has built a career spanning multiple MLS clubs since turning professional in 2015.
Born and raised in Irvine, California, Romney progressed through the U.S. Soccer Development Academy with the Irvine Strikers before playing college soccer at the University of San Francisco. After a brief amateur stint with San Francisco City FC, he signed with LA Galaxy II and became the first LA Galaxy II player to sign an MLS contract when he joined the LA Galaxy first team in 2015.
Early Life and Background
David James Romney was born on June 12, 1993, in Irvine, California. He grew up in the same Southern California city where he first fell in love with the game, playing youth soccer locally before joining the Irvine Strikers of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. The Development Academy provided Romney with high-level daily training and meaningful matches against top youth prospects across the country.
After completing his high school years in Irvine, Romney committed to the University of San Francisco, where he played for the San Francisco Dons men’s soccer program from 2011 to 2014. His college years allowed him to refine the defensive fundamentals that would later define his professional career, including positioning, aerial duels, and distribution out of the back.
Path to Soccer
Following his senior season at San Francisco, Romney joined San Francisco City FC, an amateur club, during the early months of 2015. The move kept him sharp while he pursued an opportunity in the professional ranks. Shortly after, he signed with LA Galaxy II in the United Soccer League, where he made his professional debut against Sacramento Republic FC in March 2015.
His strong play in the USL quickly earned him attention from the LA Galaxy first team. On August 5, 2015, Romney signed an MLS contract with the Galaxy, becoming the first LA Galaxy II player ever to be signed to an MLS deal. The accomplishment marked a significant milestone, both for his personal career and for the Galaxy’s reserve-team development pipeline.
Dave Romney Career
Early Career (2015)
Romney’s professional career began in 2015 with a brief appearance for San Francisco City FC before he joined LA Galaxy II in the USL. His debut against Sacramento Republic FC in March 2015 introduced him to the physical demands of professional soccer. The Galaxy II environment gave him a stage to showcase his aerial ability and calm distribution under pressure.
The standout stretch came on August 5, 2015, when LA Galaxy signed Romney to an MLS contract, making him the first LA Galaxy II graduate to sign an MLS deal. He earned a cap with the United States U-23 national team that same year, further confirming his standing as one of the country’s promising young defenders.
LA Galaxy Era (2015–2019)
Romney spent four seasons with the LA Galaxy, establishing himself as a reliable depth option and eventually a regular contributor along the back line. Playing in one of MLS’s most high-profile organizations, he gained valuable experience in marquee matches and playoff environments. The Galaxy re-signed him at the start of the 2019 season, a sign of the club’s continued confidence in his development.
During his Galaxy years, Romney honed the defensive habits that would carry him through the rest of his career: tight marking, strong tackling, and the willingness to step into midfield to begin attacks. His work in training under multiple coaching staffs prepared him for the increased responsibility he would assume later in his career.
Nashville SC Era (2020–2022)
On November 12, 2019, Romney was traded to Nashville SC ahead of the club’s inaugural MLS season. Los Angeles received $225,000 in General Allocation Money, with an additional $50,000 possible if Romney met performance-based metrics. As part of Nashville’s expansion roster, he helped lay the defensive foundation for a brand-new franchise.
The Nashville years allowed Romney to settle into a starting role and demonstrate the consistency that had marked his time in Los Angeles. Working with a first-year roster, he contributed to one of the league’s stingier early defenses and grew into a respected veteran voice in the locker room.
New England Revolution Era (2023–2024)
On January 5, 2023, Romney was traded to the New England Revolution in exchange for a total of $525,000 in General Allocation Money. The move reunited him with Bruce Arena, and the defender quickly became a fixture in the starting lineup. On September 30, 2023, he scored his first MLS goal in a 2–1 victory over Charlotte FC.
Romney’s defining season came in 2023, when he became only the second player in New England Revolution history to play every minute of a 34-game season, joining José Gonçalves. He was also the only outfield player in MLS to play every minute of the 2023 regular season. His excellence was recognized with the Revolution team defender of the year award in both 2023 and 2024.
San Jose Earthquakes Era (2025–Present)
On December 2, 2024, Romney was traded, along with teammates Mark-Anthony Kaye and Ian Harkes, to the San Jose Earthquakes for approximately $500,000 in General Allocation Money and an international roster spot. The trade reunited him with Bruce Arena, his former manager at both LA Galaxy and New England.
Wearing the number 4 jersey in San Jose, Romney brings veteran leadership and a proven durability record to a retooling Earthquakes back line. His arrival strengthens a defensive unit that is leaning on his experience and iron-man conditioning.
Notable Events and Milestones
Romney’s signature milestones include being the first LA Galaxy II player to sign an MLS contract, his iron-man 2023 season with New England, and his subsequent back-to-back team defender of the year honors. The trade that brought him to San Jose in December 2024 underscored his continued value as a veteran defender in the league.
Dave Romney Career Wins
As a defender, Dave Romney’s career impact is measured less by goals and more by consistency, availability, and team achievements. Across stints with LA Galaxy, Nashville SC, New England Revolution, and San Jose Earthquakes, he has been a regular starter and a recognized defender of the year on multiple occasions.
LA Galaxy Highlights
During his time with the Galaxy from 2015 to 2019, Romney developed into a steady MLS defender and earned a U.S. U-23 cap in 2015. His re-signing at the start of the 2019 season reflected the club’s continued belief in his potential.
New England Revolution Highlights
Romney’s most decorated stretch came in New England, where he was named team defender of the year in both 2023 and 2024. His 2023 iron-man season, playing every minute of every regular-season match, ranks among the most durable individual performances in Revolution history.
Dave Romney Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Romney is a distant relative of Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican Party presidential candidate, former Governor of Massachusetts, and former United States Senator from Utah. The connection has been noted in multiple profiles of the defender throughout his career.
Personal Life
Romney was born and raised in Irvine, California, and continues to pursue his professional soccer career in Major League Soccer. He maintains an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account under his name and an X (formerly Twitter) account at @dave_romney12.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Dave Romney’s first year with the San Jose Earthquakes following the December 2024 trade. Reunited with Bruce Arena, the defender slots into a familiar system alongside fellow arrivals Mark-Anthony Kaye and Ian Harkes. His track record of durability, including a full 34-game 2023 season, gives San Jose a stabilizing presence in central defense.
Romney’s primary objective for 2025 is to provide veteran leadership and on-field reliability as the Earthquakes push for a return to the MLS Cup Playoffs. His two consecutive team defender of the year awards in New England set a high bar for individual performance. With continuity at the back line and a familiar coaching voice, San Jose will look to Romney to anchor its defensive identity.
As the season progresses, Romney’s combination of aerial strength, positional discipline, and iron-man conditioning positions him as one of the most dependable defenders in the San Jose squad. His continued presence on the field will be a key storyline as the Earthquakes pursue postseason contention in 2025.